Starry smooth-hound (Mustelus asterias)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Mustelus asterias
- Common name
- Starry smooth-hound
- Category
- Fish
- Family
- Triakidae
- Genus
- Mustelus
- Size
- 100–140 cm
- Depth
- 0–600 m
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- sand, rocky
- Behaviours
- schooling, benthic
- Ocean zones
- East Atlantic, Indian Ocean & Red Sea
Description
Mustelus asterias reaches 1.4 m. Small slender pale grey-brown shark marked with prominent irregular white spots (hence starry). Nordic cousin of Mediterranean M. mustelus (in base). Mosaic teeth adapted for crushing crustaceans (crabs, lobsters). Aplacental viviparous. Lives on coastal sandy and rocky bottoms from 0 to 600 m, from Norway to Senegal. Local commercial fishery, IUCN LC.
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Starry smooth-hound?
- Starry smooth-hound (Mustelus asterias) reaches 100–140 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Starry smooth-hound?
- Starry smooth-hound is found between 0–600 m deep.
- Is the Starry smooth-hound dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Starry smooth-hound?
- IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
- Where can you find the Starry smooth-hound?
- Found in: East Atlantic, Indian Ocean & Red Sea.
Other species in the genus Mustelus
- Mustelus henlei - Brown smooth-hound
- Mustelus punctulatus - Blackspotted Smooth-Hound
- Mustelus mustelus - Common smooth-hound
Other species in the family Triakidae
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 105821)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 2418315)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia